No discrepancy in recruitment, allegations malicious: P Bilash
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 30 2025: Stating that Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) has done nothing wrong in its recruitment process; Academy director P Bilash said that it is regretful to see attempts being made to defame the Academy.

He then said that the candidate named Indu was rejected by the screening committee for failing to necessary documents.

In a press meet held at Manipur Press Club here on Wednesday, Bi-lash stated that the allegations being made in some local dailies against the recruitment process of JNMDA are false and baseless.

He informed that the candidate named Hanglem Indu Devi, who submitted the application for the posts of Guru Sutradhari and Raasdhari, was rejected for failing to provide requisite documents.

As per the criteria, the preferred candidate should have passed the Post Diploma from JNMDA in second class and seven years of experience or be a Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee.

No discrepancy in recruitment, allegations malicious: P Bilash

Candidate with knowledge of Raas, Sankritan and Sanskrit are more desirous.

However, there are no criteria that the candidate should have passed Raas or Pung.

The director continued that Indu did not submit the seven years' experience certificate and was not a Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee.

Instead, she is a recipient of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar Award, which is awarded to artistes below 40 years of age, and is vastly different from the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Since Indu failed to submit the necessary documents, the screening committee rejected her application, he explained.

Bilash then said that he personally contacted Indu on phone informing her she cannot appear for the recruitment examination.

At the time, Indu requested for adding the experience certificate in secret.

It is unacceptable to add a certificate of a candidate who had been rejected by the screening committee.

On top of this, he has never added any missing documents for any candidates either in secret or openly.

If there is proof that he has done any such thing, he is ready to resign from his post, he said, while expressing regret over the attempts being made to defame JNMDA.

The director continued that the Raasdhari post requires the candidate to have knowledge of Pung, Raas and Jagoi Ishei.

The candidate successfully selected for Pung is the renowned Guru RK Opendro.

He then said that he may be a director but does not have the power to appoint a candidate.

There is the VC above him and also, the candidates are screened and selected by the screening committee.

The appointment order is issued in the name of the director, he informed, while reiterating that the Academy has not committed any wrongdoing in recruiting staff.

Meanwhile, an order has been issued that the diploma and post-diploma certificates of student Bhumeshor, who had provided the wrong birthdate, has been invalidated.

His deceit was discovered when an RTI was filed, Bilash informed, adding that a police complaint has been hied and FIR lodged against the student for deceit.

The director also termed as unfor tunate that attempts were made to defame the Academy.

The Governor is the chairman of JNMDA.

When the job recruitment for the Academy began in 2021, a secretary from the Governor's secretariat was requested to participate in the process.

However, due to the secretary being busy, the former stenographer of the Academy, Yumnam Ibomcha was assigned to participate in the selection in place of the secretary.

After the selection concluded, Ibom cha pressured for selection of two candidates, stressing that it was the instruction of the Governor.

However, as the two candidates failed to meet the criteria, the selection committee did not select the two candidates.

Ibomcha then got petty and tried to remove him (Bilash) from his post, while further blocking a tour to five countries.

On top of this, an FIR was lodged against him (Bilash) .

The police; however, withdrew the FIR after finding it to be baseless.

Expressing regret over Ibomcha's action of trying to portray the teach er-disciple tradition (guru shiksha parampara) in poor light due to his selfish interests; Bilash stated that ever since he became the director of the Academy, the student enrolment rose from 170 to 730 (last year).

So far, 680 students are enrolled this year, he informed and as such, appealed all concerned to stop trying to taint the reputation of JNMDA .